Europe’s ‘Paris of the East’ is an underrated gem with £37 flights and 31°C August weather

You don’t have to work for Runway magazine to have Paris on your bucket list.

From haute couture and charming bistros to some of the most romantic backdrops on the planet, the City of Love ticks all the boxes for a perfect city break.

However, like several European destinations, the French capital is grappling with the effects of overtourism.

City bosses recently hiked tourist taxes and banned key boxes in a bid to fight illegal short-term rentals. As of 2024, 3-star hotels in Paris charge a levy of €5.20 (£3.90) per person per night, while 4-star accommodations are higher, at €8.45 (£7.19).

At Metro, we’re all about promoting sustainable travel and putting ‘hidden gems’ on the map, as long as the destination is truly eager for visitors.

So when we heard about the ‘Paris of the East’ — an underrated city with flights from the UK starting at just £37, we wanted to share it with our readers.

Enter Bucharest, which has the beautiful buildings, tree-lined boulevards and swish cafés we associate with Paris — all without the steep price tag and overcrowding.

Recently ranked ninth in The Times’ roundup of ‘the best affordable city breaks in Europe’, Romania’s capital and largest city is actively promoting tourism.

The government is pouring money into accommodation and public transport in a bid to attract travellers, while other countries are pushing them away. So if you’d feel guilty heading to an overrun holiday hotspot, rest assured that visitors here are very much welcome.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, a number of French artists and intellectuals frequented Bucharest. At the time, society mirrored the Parisian way, with a focus on fashion, elegance and sophistication. Likewise, prominent Romanian artists – including Constantin Brâncuși – studied in Bucharest before making their names in France.

Visually, the city earned its ‘Little Paris’ nickname thanks to its architectural similarities with France’s capital.

Of the many buildings and landmarks influenced by the French, the most obvious is the Arcul de Triumf, Romania’s version of the Arc de Triomphe.

So if you fancy swapping a trip to Paris for this affordable destination dupe, here’s everything you need to know about Bucharest.

What to do in Bucharest

The streets of Bucharest really do look like Paris; ornate flourishes of Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Romanian Revival are on display on every corner.

A wander through the city’s expansive boulevards will take you to the Palace of the Parliament, the world’s heaviest building weighing roughly4,098,500 tonnes.

You can get a closer look at its size and grandeur on a guided tour, with ticket prices costing around 60 Romanian Leu (£12).

When in ‘Little Paris,’ it would be rude not to check out the Muzeul Micul Paris (Little Paris Museum), a fascinating destination for anyone interested in art, architecture, the Romanian bourgeoisie era.

The museum is filled with antique furniture, clothing, and perfume, from the ‘Belle Époque,’ the period of French and European history from 1871 until 1914. There’s also an antique gallery and a vintage photography studio, where you can experience an immersive journey into the past. Tickets cost 25 Lei (£4.18).

Step out of the time capsule and into nature with a walk around Herăstrau Park, on the northern side of the city. The lake is dotted with trendy restaurants and bars — and since Bucharest in August sees daytime highs of 31°C which drops to a more comfortable 18°C by the evening, it’s a fantastic spot for sun-seekers and sun-downers alike.

If you’re looking for something active, boat rentals and hydro-bicycles are also available along the shore.

Metro’s Alice Murphy spent a day at the park during a trip to Romania and said it is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi, or on foot.

She also recommends the Free Walking Tour of Bucharest, where you can learn about the city’s history and culture, and a visit to the National Village Museum to discover how people live in rural Romania.

Of course, no European city break is complete without a stroll around, and Bucharest’s pedestrian-only area is very tourist-friendly and brimming with terraces, cafes, restaurants, and shops.

A tempting twin city break

We’re suckers for an Old Town. Whether in Bruges or Krakow, there’s something magical about wandering through narrow Medieval streets or sampling the different local restaurants serving traditional food and drink.

You might want to branch out a little here though, as for Alice Murphy, Bucharest’s Old Town is ‘stag central,’ with an abundance of bars and clubstaking away from its otherwise charming vibe after dark.

And if you’re looking for somewhere that’s escaped the hen and stag mob, Alice recommends Brasov.

A train ride away in Transylvania, you’ll find a smorgasbord of traditional charm and modern city life. Brasov’s Old Town, which has received UNESCO World Heritage status, is worlds away from its capital counterpart.

Embroidered with medieval buildings, including the Gothic Black Church and the Council House, the city is home to Rope Street, the narrowest street in Romania.

The Bucharest to Brasov train takes around two hours and 30 minutes, with prices ranging between £5 to £14.

This article was first published on May 7, 2025.